Q: I am 26 years old and feel extreme weakness and tiredness. I cannot even get up in the morning. If I do some mental or physical work I feel very tiredness. There is pain and stiffness in my back and neck. I cannot hold my neck up in the sleeping position even for a minute. There is no strength in my back. If I do not exercise for a few days, then I can get less pain and stiffness. If I pull even one bucket of water my back starts aching. What should I do? I had an X-ray but nothing was diagnosed. I have done a RA & HLA tests and the reports are normal. I feel a heaviness in the back. I don't know what to do. I also feel burning sensation in my both eyes. Is it possible because of neck pain and stiffness? Do you think I have chronic fatigue syndrome?

A:Pain, stiffness and tiredness may be caused by a rheumatologic condition, and simple blood tests such as sedimentation rate and anti-nuclear factor should help a doctor decide if there is an organic explanation. If there are eye problems also, then such tests are more important so as to justify steroids or other dangerous drugs that are prescribed to protect from visual damage. If there are no serious problems then total body massage by a professional should help especially if combined with vitamins, good diet and frequent very active exercise.